'Jaise main team se in and out...': Arshdeep Singh Breaks Silence on Team Exclusion with Humour
Arshdeep Singh is very good at finding humour where there is very little chance to smile about, while expressing himself without any hard feelings or rubbing powerful people the wrong way.
Since Gambhir became the head coach, Arshdeep has been in and out of the Indian team. He was asked whether the continuous inclusion and exclusion had affected him.
To which he said with a smile:
"Jaise main team se in and out hota hoon uska advantage bhi hai. Mera ball bhi in and out jaata hai (Being in and out of the team has its own set of advantages. Like I am in and out of the team, my ball is also coming in and going out). So I am enjoying that."
His smile reminded us that not being selected has not affected his ability to swing the ball even a bit.
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Arshdeep has 111 wickets in 73 T20 Internationals and also remains India's most prolific wicket-taker in the shortest format. He has frequently been sacrificed for team combination in recent months, mostly since Gambhir took charge in July 2024.
Arshdeep had featured in 13 of the 21 T20Is played by India in 2025, but was benched for a better part of the Asia Cup despite his impressive record.
He underlined his professional approach towards selection and readiness. He said:
"My job is to remain ready, and whenever the team wants me to bowl in any format with a new or old ball, I can give my best. My aim is to enjoy the journey, remain in the present, and focus on the controllable. What is not in my control (selection), I shouldn't be bothered about it."
He also pointed out about adapting to different match conditions and the challenge of bowling on placid tracks.
He further explained:
"When you find a good batting pitch, you have a prayer on your lips, 'Please God save me today'. The plans are chalked out at the team meetings, and on the game day, our job is to execute that plan. If you stick to your plans and execute them properly, more often than not, you get results."
Arshdeep feels the need for flexibility with regard- to both mental and tactical ideas for the team.
He also said:
"We need to know what works on a particular strip against a specific batter. In the end, you should be satisfied with your strategy, and if it doesn't work, you get to know it when there is a change of plan in the next match."
He also revealed that Abhishek Sharma prefers not to bat against him in the nets; he is not complaining, though. He said on a lighter note:
"Strategy changes depending on conditions. Plans are made based on opposition, kind of totally on the board, and we adapt accordingly. The key is to remain flexible, which is the main motto of the team. Whether you are called at the start, middle, or finish, you need to remain ready."
Arshdeep concluded by saying:
"He (Abhishek) would always say, 'I do not want to bat against you guys'. It's good for us that we don't have to bowl to him. I have played a lot of cricket with him, and watching him dominate at this level feels good."